Featured at Aish.com:

About the Author

Tzvi Gluckin lectures extensively on a wide range of Jewish related topics. He is the author of four books including: Everything You Want Is Really Jewish, Discover This, and Knee Deep in the Funk: Understanding the Connection Between Spirituality and Music. He served in the Israeli Army, holds a B.M. in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory of Music, and is currently the director of Vechulai, an innovative Jewish think tank in Boston. For more information, visit his website at gluckin.com/.

Visitor Comments: 27

For us Aish.com readers who get excited at the mention of the name Black Sabbath, this video shall we say strikes a big chord. THANKS!

(25)
,
December 5, 2010 11:58 PM

wow! that sure is very motivational for a monday morning! thank you very much, rabbi! happy hanukkah!

(24)
Jong,
December 5, 2010 3:52 PM

So true!!

What an encouraging message it is!!
Thanks a million Rabbi!

(23)
Anonymous,
December 3, 2010 12:21 AM

connection to Black Sabbath iin Jewish History

The Shabbos before Shavuos is called Black Sabbath or "Shabbos Shvartze" in Juedisch-Deutsch as it markes the Crusader destruction of Kehillas SH'UM in Germany's Rhine Valley. (These are the cities known as Speyer, Worms and Mainz). Av Harachamim, the Sabbath prayer for the martyrs, was written for that Shabbos and was also extended to Shabbos Chazon which is before Tisha B'Av

(22)
,
December 2, 2010 4:25 AM

The point is the intention

I understand not wanting to mix a "dark" band with a "light" subject matter, like a Jewish lesson. However, I think, if people look deeper, the intention of the band matches the lesson appropriately. If the rabbi were talking about how to observe shabbat, then their going around to try and take a risk has nothing to do with it, but when you understand what is said here in the right "context" it makes sense.

(21)
Tzvi Gluckin,
December 1, 2010 2:32 AM

The Author Responds

To comments 17 and 18: I disagree, I don't think it is wrong to learn a lesson from a heavy metal band like Black Sabbath. Everyone has something to teach us. We learn how to overcome our obstacles, blocks, and limitations by observing others. Most people do something in their lives worth emulating. And that includes rock stars.
Some of my biggest heroes – and I quote them often in my classes – are people like Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, Jaco Pastorius, and Jackson Pollack. I became religious because of books by Jack Kerouac and Henry Miller. I can go on and on. Are these people angels? Not at all. Many of them did very stupid things. Many of them believe in things that I disagree with. Many of them have done things that really bother me.
But who hasn’t?
The fact that these people are ordinary, have faults, and make big mistakes are exactly why learning from their lives is so important. They weren't perfect but they still did amazing things – you can too.
You can ask an obvious question, “Should I teach an inspirational class based on the accomplishments of Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, or Saddam Hussein?” Not at all. Hitler and company were evil. They were at war with everything we believe.
Black Sabbath wasn't at war with our beliefs. They were just self-indulgent, idiot rock stars. But that doesn't mean we can't learn from them.

(20)
Steven Edwards,
December 1, 2010 2:07 AM

Don't be disappointed, it isn't about the occult...

The name Black Sabbath comes from a film by Boris Karloff (from 1963). The film was showing in the theater across from the band's rehearsal studio. They realized that people paid big money for horror and that maybe it could work for them. They wrote a song called "Black Sabbath". Eventually they changed the name of the band to that as well (their original name was Earth). Their goal - on their early albums at least - was to create the rock n roll equivalent of a horror movie. It worked. They made a lot of money. And then it backfired, they couldn't shake the image. According to lead singer Ozzy Osbourne, it was one of the internal frustrations that destroyed the band. The arguments fueled his drug and alcohol abuse, and ultimately led to him getting fired.

(19)
Anonymous,
November 30, 2010 7:18 PM

wonderful

Wonderful video. It's truly amazing how you took a band like Black Sabbath and used it to teach a fundamental lesson.

(18)
Tammy,
November 30, 2010 3:39 PM

BAD role model !!!

Rabbi don't you know this band is satanic ? Even the name "Black Sabbath" is mocking G-d's HOLY day. G-d said to put a difference between the holy and the profane. I'm shocked and disappointed in you. You had a good message surely you could have used a BETTER role model !!!

(17)
Shivi,
November 30, 2010 1:34 PM

Why Black Shabbath?!

I totally agree about the necessity of ones' efforts, but I didn't understand why we should use the example of the heavy metal band, known for its occult and horror death themes, which seems to be the right opposite for the Torah of Light, especially in the time of approaching Hanukah.

(16)
kenneth tedrow,
November 29, 2010 3:51 AM

Having just stuck my neck out...

for the umpteenth time, maybe this time it'll work; funny I should happen upon your post just seconds later.
BTW; that's some pretty heavy duty overdrive on the old Les Paul, I've just gone to an AG series Ibanez Hollow Body myself... nothing can touch this little beauty for the price!

(15)
Hannah L,
November 29, 2010 1:28 AM

great advice

Rabbi Tzvi, this is a good thought! Many people are sitting on their butts and complain because they are afraid to try. I think that the next piece should be about how to not afraid.

(14)
Anonymous,
November 29, 2010 12:19 AM

shabbos is masculine and femanine

technically shabbat is generally female but it is also used as a masculine word, as we find in the haftara by a taanis tzibur, "shomer shabbos michaliLO" and in the shabbat amidah prayer, ''viyanuchu vo yisrael," where vo, being masculine, acccording to the simple meaning of the prayer, is referring to shabbat

(13)
judy,
November 28, 2010 10:15 PM

Good lesson

Love it. Inspires me. Good lesson in guts. That band had the talent, they just needed the opportunity.

(12)
Anonymous,
November 28, 2010 9:56 PM

Yasher Koach

Yasher Koach

(11)
asaf,
November 28, 2010 9:54 PM

awsem !

great vid !!!!

(10)
maggie bugden,
November 28, 2010 8:41 PM

Great! Thank You!

(9)
frank,
November 28, 2010 8:38 PM

applies to all

this unique example applies to all walks of life.so don,t judge a group by it,s appearance. encouraging. thanks rabbi tzvi.

(8)
Anonymous,
November 28, 2010 7:20 PM

Terrific!!

Loved it!

(7)
Anonymous,
November 28, 2010 7:05 PM

Shabat

In Hebrew Shabat is Female, like a queen, Shabat Hamalka, Melave Malka etc. So, Black Sabbath (and we had one, is Shabat Shchora...
I like Gibsons, but don't have one. Maybe I will put my mind to it.

(6)
Mike the Music guy,
November 28, 2010 5:49 PM

Rock and a buttered roll=Rockin'thoughts !!

I love Rock and Roll and I love Aish...both have saved my life !! When I'm feeling down I listen to music and read (listen) to incredible thoughts of the Rabbis on Aish's site...TODAH...
PS...is there a way for Rabbi Gluckin to put his Rockin'thoughts on youtube?

(5)
,
November 28, 2010 3:12 PM

Good Morning to you too

You are so funny.

(4)
suzi,
November 28, 2010 2:50 PM

succeed? You must take a chance, try something new

Great talk, great delivery, great example, and great advice. Thank you for making sense, being entertaining,speaking plainly, and clearly to every level of reader. I was happily surprised, and this was the first of your little chats I have experienced. Again, THANK YOU!

(3)
Keith, Woking.. UK,
November 28, 2010 2:21 PM

"No Comment!"

Believe me.. If I said exactly what I thought about so-called heavy metal "music", I think I might be banned from this wonderful Aish HaTorah website!.... so.... "No Comment!" is the order of the day!!!.... Keith.

(2)
Anonymous,
November 28, 2010 2:10 PM

Rock On!

Yasher Koach! Great message delivered with a punch from the opening strains of "Paranoid" on a Les Paul classic.

I live in rural Montana where the Cholov Yisrael milk is difficult to obtain and very expensive. So I drink regular milk. What is your view on this?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Jewish law requires that there be rabbinic supervision during the milking process to ensure that the milk comes from a kosher animal. In the United States, many people rely on the Department of Agriculture's regulations and controls as sufficiently stringent to fulfill the rabbinic requirement for supervision.

Most of the major Kashrut organizations in the United States rely on this as well. You will therefore find many kosher products in America certified with a 'D' next to the kosher symbol. Such products – unless otherwise specified on the label – are not Cholov Yisrael and are assumed kosher based on the DOA's guarantee.

There are many, however, do not rely on this, and will eat only dairy products that are designated as Cholov Yisrael (literally, "Jewish milk"). This is particularly true in large Jewish communities, where Cholov Yisrael is widely available.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein wrote that under limited conditions, such as an institution which consumes a lot of milk and Cholov Yisrael is generally unavailable or especially expensive, American milk is acceptable, as the government supervision is adequate to prevent non-kosher ingredients from being added.

It should be added that the above only applies to milk itself, which is marketed as pure cow's milk. All other dairy products, such as cheeses and butter, may contain non-kosher ingredients and always require kosher certification. In addition, Rabbi Feinstein's ruling applies only in the United States, where government regulations are considered reliable. In other parts of the world, including Europe, Cholov Yisrael is a requirement.

There are additional esoteric reasons for being stringent regarding Cholov Yisrael, and because of this it is generally advisable to consume only Cholov Yisroel dairy foods.

In 1889, 800 Jews arrived in Buenos Aires, marking the birth of the modern Jewish community in Argentina. These immigrants were fleeing poverty and pogroms in Russia, and moved to Argentina because of its open door policy of immigration. By 1920, more than 150,000 Jews were living in Argentina. Juan Peron's rise to power in 1946 was an ominous sign, as he was a Nazi sympathizer with fascist leanings. Peron halted Jewish immigration to Argentina, introduced mandatory Catholic religious instruction in public schools, and allowed Argentina to become a haven for fleeing Nazis. (In 1960, Israeli agents abducted Adolf Eichmann from a Buenos Aires suburb.) Today, Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America with 250,000, though terror attacks have prompted many young people to emigrate. In 1992, the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 32 people. In 1994, the Jewish community headquarters in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 85 people. The perpetrators have never been apprehended.

Be aware of what situations and behaviors give you pleasure. When you feel excessively sad and cannot change your attitude, make a conscious effort to take some action that might alleviate your sadness.

If you anticipate feeling sad, prepare a list of things that might make you feel better. It could be talking to a specific enthusiastic individual, running, taking a walk in a quiet area, looking at pictures of family, listening to music, or reading inspiring words.

While our attitude is a major factor in sadness, lack of positive external situations and events play an important role in how we feel.

[If a criminal has been executed by hanging] his body may not remain suspended overnight ... because it is an insult to God (Deuteronomy 21:23).

Rashi explains that since man was created in the image of God, anything that disparages man is disparaging God as well.

Chilul Hashem, bringing disgrace to the Divine Name, is one of the greatest sins in the Torah. The opposite of chilul Hashem is kiddush Hashem, sanctifying the Divine Name. While this topic has several dimensions to it, there is a living kiddush Hashem which occurs when a Jew behaves in a manner that merits the respect and admiration of other people, who thereby respect the Torah of Israel.

What is chilul Hashem? One Talmudic author stated, "It is when I buy meat from the butcher and delay paying him" (Yoma 86a). To cause someone to say that a Torah scholar is anything less than scrupulous in meeting his obligations is to cause people to lose respect for the Torah.

Suppose someone offers us a business deal of questionable legality. Is the personal gain worth the possible dishonor that we bring not only upon ourselves, but on our nation? If our personal reputation is ours to handle in whatever way we please, shouldn't we handle the reputation of our nation and the God we represent with maximum care?

Jews have given so much, even their lives, for kiddush Hashem. Can we not forego a few dollars to avoid chilul Hashem?

Today I shall...

be scrupulous in all my transactions and relationships to avoid the possibility of bringing dishonor to my God and people.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...